"Jimmy" Brandham, the well-known Luton Town footballer, formed the subject of one of a number of Markyate claims against military service which came before the Hemel Hempstead Rural District Tribunal on Wednesday.

His exemption was asked for by his employer, Mr F. Spary of Markyate, and the original claim was that he was "starred" [in a reserved occupation]. At that time the military representative contended he was not "starred," but afterwards found that he was "starred" and applied for him to be "unstarred".

Now it was stated that he was not "starred," the explanation given by the military representative being that Brandham had been before two recruiting officers, and in one case he was "starred," while in the other he was not.

The matter had been before the Central Tribunal for a decision, but they suggested the case should be dealt with by the local Tribunal on the ground of whether the employee was indispensable or not. Mr Spary said there was no one else left in his business of a wheelwright to help him carry it on.

The Tribunal found he was in a certified trade and granted him absolute exemption.

[The Luton Reporter: Monday, April 10th, 1916]